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Ljubljana – a brief overview

Ljubljana is one of Europe’s smallest capitals, but also one of its most delightful and visitor-friendly cities. Spread around the meandering Ljubljanica River, the city shows the mixed influences of Slovenia’s history, with traces still remaining of its Roman origins. Baroque Italianate palaces stand alongside the whimsical Modernist monuments of its revered city architect, Jože Plečnik; all overlooked by its solid medieval castle.

Ljubljana is a city to explore on foot or by bike: with riverside walkways, footbridges and bicycle lanes, parks and gardens. It has a wealth of museums and galleries, excellent restaurants and an innovative cultural scene.

Standing on a hilltop overlooking the river, this massively built medieval castle has played a vital role in the city’s history. A funicular railway goes up to the entrance, from where you can take a tour or wander around its grounds.

Old Town & Town Hall

The old city spreads along the east bank of the river at the foot of Castle Hill. It’s a lovely area for walking, through shady squares and cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings such as Mestna Hisa (Town Hall).

Tivoli Park

Tivoli Park Ljubljana Slovenia Show on map

Ljubljana’s main park is an expansive grassy area, on its western outskirts. It’s a wonderful place for a picnic, with attractions including an art gallery, glasshouses and sports facilities.

National & University Library

One of the masterworks of Jože Plečnik; this bold brick and stone block is adorned with carved shells and statues. From its black marble stairway to its brightly lit reading rooms, the library makes a fine home for its manuscripts and books dating from the Middle Ages.

City Museum

This impressive museum housed in the Auersperg Palace contains some 200,000 artefacts charting the city’s history from prehistoric times. One standout exhibit is the world’s oldest wooden wheel, thought to be 40,000 years old.

Currency

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

General business opening hours

Business hours are generally Monday to Friday 0900-1700 (or 1900), although quite a few still operate 0700-1500. Working the weekends is not the norm, though many shops now also open on Saturdays and some on Sundays too.

Public holidays

Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December 2021.

Flight and accommodation

Calendar of events

Shrovetide Carnival

March 2020

Venue: Various locations in the city centre

The streets of Ljubljana come to life with this colourful carnival, which is always held on the Saturday before Shrove Tuesday. With participants dressed as traditional Slovenian carnival figures such as ‘kurenti’, ‘pozvacini’, ‘oraci’ and ‘godlarji’, a costumed parade with marching bands sets out from Krekov trg Square and heads towards Presernov trg Square, where a series of entertainment events take place, including brass bands, puppet theatre and dancing. The event has religious origins as a last chance for merriment before Lent.

Druga Godba

Established in 1984 as an alternative to the country’s mainstream music festivals, Druga Godba is dedicated to the weird and wonderful sounds of world music. Everything from Slovene folkloric music to African jazz finds a home at this eclectic five-day event that takes place at the Krizanke Theatre in the centre of Ljubljana. In addition to a great line-up of world music artists, the festival also includes animations, film screenings, music workshops, children’s events, art exhibitions, seminars and political debates.

Ljubljana Jazz Festival

With three or four performances each evening, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival is a popular event that sees international bands and local talent take to the stage. The festival includes a variety of styles ranging from trad jazz and blues through to experimental and Latin American jazz.

Ljubljana Marathon

Starting and finishing at Subieeva ul in front of the Parliament building in the centre of Ljubljana, runners follow a circular course that takes in some of the best sites of this laid-back city. For anyone not up to running the full 42km (26-mile) marathon, runners can attempt the 21km (13-mile) half marathon or the 7km (4-mile) fun run.

Ljubljana International Film Festival

The annual Ljubljana International Film Festival is one of the biggest events of its kind in Slovenia and features over 100 films, animations and documentaries, with a focus on avant garde work. The festival attracts a mix of film lovers, fans and industry specialists who can pick their way through a varied schedule that includes everything from French cinema through to Asian film.

Christmas Market and Festive Lights

November – December 2020

Venue: By the banks of the Ljubljanica River

One of Europe’s great festive markets with practically the whole old city illuminated and stalls lining the river.

All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.

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Phone calls & Internet

Telephone Country code: +386

Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.

Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.

Flight and accommodation

Shopping in Ljubljana

Key Areas

With modern malls, organic food markets and arty boutiques, Ljubljana has something for everyone’s inner shopaholic. Slovenska boulevard has mainstream department stores, but the Old Town’s small, specialist shops offer a more relaxed experience.

Markets

Central Market, in the Old Town, has a mix of fresh local produce and foodie treats, together with souvenirs and handicrafts (open Mon-Sat). On Sunday mornings, stalls line the riverbanks, selling an array of antique knick-knacks, jewellery and artworks. The biggest food market is Mestna tržnica (Pogačarjev trg 1), with everything from fresh bread to horse pate (open Mon-Sat).

Shopping Centres

BTC City (Šmartinska 152) is the biggest new mall, with hundreds of shops, as well as restaurants and many other attractions. Nama (Tomšičeva 1) is an old city institution, with a huge range, from groceries to cosmetics. Maximarket (Smartinska 152g) also has a supermarket, with a health food section.

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Health

Food & Drink

Mains water is considered safe and drinkable. However, bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other Risks

Tick-borne encephalitisis present in forests. Walkers should take precautions against tick bites. Vaccination is advisable. Immunisation against hepatitis B, diphtheria and tuberculosisis sometimes advised. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek immediate medical advice.

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Visa & Immigration

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.